Advanced floor machine

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an invention that offers improvements to machines used for power floor buffing, grinding, and polishing including: a dust containment system which utilizes a single shroud with an attached lower brush to fully enclose the top and sides of a rotating implement whereas said shroud is spring loaded and allowed to move vertically and tilt in order to maintain firm contact with the floor at all times and prevent escaping air and dust; a dust extraction and collection system that expands upon said dust containment system by integrating a scroll shaped channel into the shroud and an outlet chute to extract and collect dust in a filtered dust bag and in which performance is increased by fins on the rotating implement driver and air inlet holes; a quick-release tool-less mechanism for attaching a rotating implement to the driveshaft with a hex shaped male/female interaction and push button release ball pin.

This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/546,511 filed Aug. 16, 2017 thecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entiretyfor all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention relates to machines used to buff, grind, or polishlarge floors typically found in commercial spaces such as supermarkets,retail establishments, or other spaces.

Such machines can be used on a variety of floor types, such as vinyltile, concrete, stone, terrazzo, etc.

The machine functions by rotating an implement at high speeds againstthe floor. Depending on the floor type, floor finish, and nature of thework to be accomplished, a rotational implement may take the form of abuffing pad, polishing pad, abrasive pad, abrasive brush, grinding disk,or a series or combination thereof.

The construction of such machines is relatively straightforward. Achassis is the primary frame of the machine and the body to whichcomponents are mounted. A motor is mounted to the chassis. Dependingfrom the chassis is a rotating implement. The rotating implement ispowered to rotate by the motor either by direct drive or throughtransmission of the rotational power through a belt drive system, chaindrive system, or other transmission. Wheels and a handle are typicallyattached to the chassis allowing an operator to control the machine andmove it across the floor. A hood typically covers the rotatingimplement.

A significant downside of operating such machines is that dust anddebris can be distributed into the ambient air. A machine is typicallydesigned for the rotating implement to rotate at speeds between 500-2000RPM, and the rotational implement typically has a diameter of 1.5 to 3.0feet. Such rotational speed is enough to discharge air away from therotating implement, where it will dislodge existing dust and debris andmix it with ambient air. Furthermore, the operation of the machine mayproduce even more dust when fine particles are removed from the floorstructure, the extent of which is based on the abrasiveness of therotating implement.

Creating and mixing dust with the ambient air can be harmful anddangerous for users in the area when it is inevitably inhaled. It willalso eventually settle and collect on anything in the area includingfood, merchandise, window sills, product shelving, lighting, or anyother surface.

While the machine's hood can cover the upper surface of the rotatingimplement, it typically only covers a portion of the sides of therotating implement. Furthermore, it will typically not make contact withthe floor, leaving a gap between the hood and the floor where much ofthe air and debris can escape.

To help seal this inherent gap between the hood and the floor, attemptshave been made to integrate a separate floating skirt which creates avertical wall that circumscribes both the hood and the rotatingimplement. Such a skirt may also have brush attached to its bottom tohelp it glide across the floor. In order for the skirt to make constantcontact with the floor, it is designed to loosely fit around the hood sothat it may float up and down as needed due to variations in floorflatness and variations in thickness of the rotating implement whichchanges as the implement wears during use.

While such floating skirt designs can reduce the amount of air and dustthat escapes into the ambient air, a gap must always exist between therigid hood and the floating skirt. This gap will always be the source ofdust escape. Any attempt to fill this gap with foam or filters or todesign the gap to be smaller inherently reduces the freedom with whichthe skirt can float, creating the possibility that the skirt can bind orbecome stuck in a certain position and no longer maintain contact withthe floor.

While dust containment is critically important relative to dust escapinginto the ambient air, to maximize the cleanliness of the location ofmachine use, it is even more ideal to collect such dust so that it maybe properly disposed.

Attempts to extract and collect dust have included two primarysolutions.

The first solution is to use an independent dust vacuuming machine andattach the vacuum hose to an opening in the hood. This solution, whilesuccessful in dust extraction, puts additional burden on the operationof the floor maintenance machine. Running two independent machineseither requires two operators to operate the two respective machinessimultaneously or a single operator to rotate back and forth from onemachine to the other. Additionally, tethering the floor maintenancemachine limits its area of use. Also, additional equipment, operators,and steps of operation inherently cause the floor maintenance work to bemore obtrusive to the location of use of the machine.

The second solution is to integrate a dust discharging system into thehood or skirt of the floor maintenance machine such that a dischargeoutlet provides an escape point for dusty air which is lead throughtubing to an onboard dust collection bag. Although promising in theory,such solutions as they currently exist, such as the one explained inU.S. Pat. No. 8,764,520 B1 have marginal performance for severalreasons:

-   -   The discharge outlet is not fully open to the floor, but instead        a vertical wall or obstruction exists along the floor limiting        the flow of air. This is especially detracting from the        performance considering the dustiest air exists along the floor        where dust is being dislodged.    -   The skirt or hood is not designed with a proper shape to        maximize the lifting and channeling of dusty air into the        discharge outlet.    -   An inadequate amount of fresh air is allowed to enter the system        and flow through the discharge outlet. This is especially true        for systems that attempt to pull in air from outside the skirt,        since the centrifugal forces of the spinning pad always tend to        spread air outward away from the rotating implement rather than        pull air toward the rotating implement. Systems that do not        properly maximize amount of airflow cannot maximize dust        extraction.    -   Tubing between the hood extraction point and the dust collection        bag adds additional friction which slows down air flow,        especially when bends exist in the tubing.    -   Finally, any extraction system that contains an independent        skirt and hood will always have the same dust escape issue        explained previously.

A standard feature for these floor maintenance machines is the abilityto detach the device that drives the rotating implement, such as a paddriver, from the driveshaft. This feature allows the machines to providemaximum flexibility to the operator. For example, the operator maydesire to change between one type of rotating implement and another, orthe operator may desire to change to a different sized rotatingimplement, or the operator may desire to replace a worn rotatingimplement driver.

Since the need to detach the rotating implement driver from thedriveshaft may arise while using the machine on the job site, it isdesirable for the detachment and reattachment between the rotatingimplement driver and the driveshaft to be tool-less, speedy, and requireminimal skill and effort.

The most common method of detaching the rotating implement driver fromthe driveshaft is a threaded connection: the lower end of the driveshaftis a male thread which inserts into a female threaded hole of therotating implement driver. This threaded connection must be designed totighten during use, for it would be a liability for the rotatingimplement driver to loosen during use. Since very large amounts oftorque are transmitted to the rotating implement and since the rotatingimplement is rotating at high speeds, it is possible for the threadedconnection to become extremely tight and require both tools and manpower to loosen when the rotating implement driver needs to be removed.Various washers and anti seize lubricants have been attempted tominimize this result, but often are insufficient to overcome the highlevels of tightening torque applied during machine use.

The features and configurations of the present invention which improveupon the shortcomings of previous inventions are disclosed in thefollowing detailed description and accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A machine is provided to be used for floor maintenance, includingbuffing, grinding, and polishing, wherein said machine includes achassis, a handle and wheels mounted to said chassis to allow anoperator to control the machine and move the machine across the floor, amotor mounted to said chassis, a rotating implement such as a buffingpad, polishing pad, abrasive pad, abrasive brush, grinding disk, or aseries or combination thereof which depends from said chassis and makescontact with the floor and is powered by said motor to rotate in contactwith the floor.

A dust containment system is provided for such a floor maintenancemachine, which is comprised of the following components:

-   -   a) A round shroud which both encircles and cover the top surface        of the rotating implement, and which includes a primary central        hole and two or more smaller satellite holes in its ceiling        surface. The shroud both conceals the rotating implement and        prevents air and dust from being flung outward during use of the        machine.    -   b) Guide shafts which are affixed to the bottom of said chassis.        Each guide shaft is cylindrical in shape with a larger shoulder        on its lower portion. The guide shafts prevent the shroud from        rotating, but allow the shroud to freely move vertically so that        it can raise and fall and tilt its angle in order to always make        contact with the floor. The lower shoulders of the guide shafts        lift the shroud and prevent it from making contact with the        rotating implement in the event that the entire machine is        tilted back.    -   c) A washer and compression spring which accompany each guide        shaft. The compression spring transmits a downward force against        the top of the shroud, which keeps the shroud firmly in contact        with the floor, to prevent air and dust from escaping. The        washer prevents the compression spring from becoming wedged        inside the satellite hole of the shroud.

A dust extraction and collection system is also provided for such afloor maintenance machine. This system contains the same components asthe dust containment system with the following additional features:

-   -   a) Said shroud includes a scroll shaped rising channel that        eventually curves outward and leads to an outlet hole in the        shroud's sidewall.    -   b) An outlet chute is affixed to the outside of said shroud at        the location of the shroud's outlet hole. The chute shape        transitions from a curved rectangular opening to a round shaped        outlet.    -   c) A dust collection bag is affixed to the round shaped outlet        of said chute.    -   d) Said shroud includes smaller perforation holes in the        centermost portion of its ceiling surface.

The relative function of the components are as follows:

-   -   The rotating implement under the shroud forces the air to travel        rotationally inside the shroud.    -   As air rotates, it rises and collects in the scroll shaped        rising channel. When the channel curves outward, the air that        has entered this channel follows the curved channel to the        outlet hole, where it is discharged from the shroud through the        outlet chute.    -   Additionally, the centrifugal forces also cause air to flow        outward and away from the central axis of rotation, where the        air will then be discharged through the outlet chute.    -   Any dust that is created by the floor maintenance activity will        be discharged along with the air.    -   The dust collection bag serves as a filter with microscopic        holes that are large enough to allow air to escape, but are too        small for dust and debris to escape, causing the dust and debris        to be collected in the bag.    -   The smaller perforation in the shroud ceiling surface serve as        air inlet holes, so that incoming air can replace the displaced        air.

Additional features of the dust containment system and the dustextraction and collection system are as follows:

-   -   A brush may be affixed to the bottom of said shroud. Such        affixment may be accomplished by intermediary brush housing.        This brush helps to create an even seal between the floor and        the shroud and prevent air and dust from escaping under the        shroud. It also allows for low friction and easy gliding across        the floor, prevents marking or scratching the floor, and sweeps        existing floor dust and debris out of the way before it can        enter the shroud and makes contact with the rotating implement.    -   The guide shafts are the only means of attachment of the shroud        to the chassis such that removing said guide shafts allows for        removal of the entire shroud. This system allows for multiple        sized to be interchangeable on the same chassis. Airflow, and        thus the effectiveness of the dust extraction and collection        system, is assisted by fins on the upper surface of the body        that drives the rotating implement. The fins assist both        rotational and outward air flow.

A quick-release coupling allowing for the tool-less installation andremoval of the rotating implement driver to the driveshaft is providedfor such floor maintenance machines and is comprised of:

-   -   a) A cylindrical driveshaft which is rotated by the motor either        directly or through the transmitting of rotational power by a        belt, chain, gear, or other type of transmission. The driveshaft        has a hole in its bottom surface which in turn has an internal        groove in the sidewall of the driveshaft. The bottom outer        portion of the driveshaft is a six-plane hex shape.    -   b) A female hub that has a mating six-plane hex hole in its top        surface. The hub has a lower flange with a central hole.    -   c) A common ball lock pin with a quick release spring-loaded        push button that allows the locking ball(s) to retract into the        pin body.

The six-plane hex portion of the driveshaft can be inserted intosix-plane hex shaped hole of the hub. The ball lock pin can be insertedthrough both components and lock them together. The two components canbe disengaged by simply pressing on the release button on the ball lockpin and removing the pin, which allows the hub to slide off thedriveshaft.

Additional features of the quick-release coupling are as follows:

-   -   The hole in the lower body of the hub is threaded, such that in        the event that the hub becomes seized on the driveshaft, a bolt        can be inserted into this hole and thus break the hub free from        the driveshaft.    -   Both the lower leading edge of the driveshaft and the upper        leading edge of the hole in the hub are chamfered such that the        six-plane hex shape is transitioned to a round shape. These        leading edge chamfers allow two parts to be more easily        inserted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a representation of machine used for power floor buffing,grinding, and polishing to which the invention applies;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shroud;

FIG. 3 is a partially sectioned perspective view that shows how theshroud covers and encircles the rotating implement and the componentsthat interact with and allow movement of the shroud;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of FIG. 3 that shows additionaldetail of the brush and brush housing affixed to the shroud;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of FIG. 3 that shows additionaldetail of the components of which the guide shaft is comprised;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of FIG. 3 that shows additionaldetail of the guide shaft, washer, and compression spring;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view that shows the additional shroudfeatures allowing dust collection and the outlet chute;

FIG. 8 is a partially sectioned perspective view of all components ofthe dust collection system that illustrates the airflow thereof;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the components that comprise the quickrelease coupling between the rotating implement driver hub and thedriveshaft;

FIG. 10 is a partially sectioned perspective view of the components thatcomprise the quick release coupling between the rotating implementdriver hub and the driveshaft;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, the floor maintenance machine 1 according to thisinvention is illustrated. The machine includes a chassis 4 to which amotor 3 is affixed. The motor 3 drives a rotating implement to rotatewhile in contact with the floor 2. The implement is illustrated in FIG.3 to be a pad 10 such as a buffing pad, polishing pad, or abrasive pad,but which may also take the form of an abrasive brush, grinding disk, ora series or combination thereof. The rotating implement is not visiblein FIG. 1 due to the hood 8 which is affixed to or integrated as a partof the chassis 4. Wheels 7 and an operator handle 6 are also affixed tothe chassis 4 which allow an operator to control the machine 1 and moveit across the floor 2.

To prevent dust and air from being expelled under the machine duringuse, the invention uses a shroud 9 to both encircle the circumferenceedge of the rotating implement and also cover the implement's topsurface. Referring to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the shroud 9 is alarge disk-shaped component that includes an outer circular wall 13 thattransitions to a horizontal ceiling 11 through a curved transitionalportion 12 of the body. FIG. 3 offers a sectional view of the shroud 9which clearly shows these three main portions of the shroud body.Additionally, as shown in both FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the ceiling portion 11may in fact be comprised of two independent terraced ceiling sectionsseparated by another inclined transitional section 71, though this isnot critical to the function of the shroud 9.

Referring to FIG. 2, on the ceiling 11 of the shroud 9, is a largecentral hole 14. As shown in FIG. 3, this large central hole 14 allowsspace for the rotating implement and its interaction to the motor 3through a driveshaft 51. Additional details on this driveshaft 51 andits interaction with the motor 3 and rotating implement will be providedlater.

Referring to FIG. 2, on the ceiling of shroud 9, are two or moresatellite holes 15. All Figures in this document illustrate the shroud 9with 4 satellite holes, though any quantity greater than or equal to twois acceptable for the invention to properly function. The shape of thesesatellite holes 15 may be round holes or may be slotted holes in whichcase the slot length 17 is parallel to the radial lines 16 of theshroud.

Referring to FIG. 3, the interaction between the shroud 9 and thechassis lower wall 5 is further detailed. The chassis lower wall 5 isaffixed to the main chassis 4 (shown in FIG. 1), though the method ofaffixment is not detailed and not critical to the function of theinvention. Depending from this chassis lower wall 5 are two or moreguide shafts 22. The quantity of guide shafts 22 should be equal to thequantity of satellite holes 15 in the shroud 9, and in this document allFigures illustrate this quantity to be equal to four, though anyquantity greater than or equal to two is acceptable for the invention toproperly function.

Referring to FIG. 6, additional details of the guide shaft 22 areprovided, and it can be seen that the guide shaft 22 is has a main longcylindrical section 24 and a short and wide shoulder 23 on its bottomand the top section 73 is threaded.

FIG. 6 also illustrates one method of affixment of the guide shaft 22 tothe chassis lower wall 5, which is that the threaded top section 73 ofthe guide shaft 22 is inserted through the chassis lower wall 5 andaffixed by a nut 47 which is located on the top of the chassis lowerwall 5. The nut 47 may be welded to the top surface of the chassis lowerwall 5. Alternately, the chassis lower wall 5 may have a threaded hole,in which case the nut 47 can be removed from the invention. Additionalmethods of affixment of the guide shafts 22 to the chassis lower wall 5also exist and are not critical to the function of the invention.

FIG. 3 (and in greater detail in FIG. 6) illustrates that each guideshaft is inserted through one of the satellite holes 15 of the shroud 9.The diameter of the main long cylindrical section 24 is smaller than thediameter of the satellite holes 15. In the event that the satelliteholes 15 are slotted holes, then the diameter of the main longcylindrical section 24 is less than the width of the satellite hole 15slot. Additionally, the fit is a clearance fit.

FIG. 3 (and in greater detail in FIG. 6) also illustrates that the shortand wide shoulder 23 of the guide shaft 22 is positioned below theshroud 9. The diameter of the short and wide shoulder 23 is larger thanthe diameter of the satellite holes 15. In the event that the satelliteholes 15 are slotted holes, then the diameter of the short and wideshoulder 24 is greater than the width of the satellite hole 15 slot.

FIG. 3 (and in greater detail in FIG. 6) illustrates that due torelative diameters of the guide shaft 22 and the satellite hole 15, theshroud 9 is free to move vertically along the main long cylindricalsection 24 of the guide shaft 22. Due to the clearance fit, the shroud 9is also able to pivot and tilt. This pivot and tilt function allows theshroud to always stay in contact with the floor 2 (shown in FIG. 1) evenwhen chassis 4 (shown in FIG. 1) is not parallel with the floor 2 (shownin FIG. 1) which can be caused by a range of factors such as floorunevenness, changes in the thickness of the pad 10 (shown in FIG. 3), oruneven wheel 7 (shown in FIG. 1) alignment.

FIG. 3 (and in greater detail in FIG. 6) illustrates that the shroud 9is constrained on the lower end of its vertical movement by the shoulder24 of the guide shaft 22, and is constrained on the higher end of itsvertical movement by the chassis lower wall 5. This ensures that whenthe machine 1 (shown in FIG. 1) is tilted rearward and the front end ofthe chassis 4 (shown in FIG. 1) is raised, the shroud 9 will not droplow enough to make contact with the rotating pad driver 10 or any otherrotating implement.

FIG. 3 illustrates that the guide shafts 22 constrain the shroud 9 frombeing able to rotate relative to its central axis 74 (shown in FIG. 2).

FIG. 3 illustrates that the guide shafts 22 constrain the shroud 9 frombeing able to move forward, rearward, or to either side relative to thechassis lower wall 5. In other words, the guide shafts 22 ensure thatthe central axis 74 (shown in FIG. 2) of the shroud 9 is concentric withthe central axis of the rotating implement drive shaft 51 and thus alsoconcentric with the rotating implement itself. This concentricityinsures that the shroud side wall 13 is prevented from making contactwith the outer side walls of the rotating implement.

FIG. 3 illustrates that depending from the chassis lower wall 5 is acolumn 72. This column 72 prevents dust from escaping and also preventsan operator to put his/her hand into the gap between the top of theshroud 9 and the lower chassis wall 5 and make contact with the rotatingimplement. The central hole 14 of the shroud 9 has a larger diameterthan the diameter of the column 72, such that the shroud 9 cannot makecontact with the column 72 due to the interaction between the shroud 9and the guide shafts 22.

FIG. 3 (and in greater detail in FIG. 4) illustrates that a brush 18 isaffixed to the bottom edge of the shroud sidewall 13 through anintermediary brush housing 19. The brush housing 19 contains an upperchannel 20 and a lower channel 21. The upper channel 20 encapsulates thelower portion of the shroud side wall 13, while the lower channel 21encapsulates a crimped element 75 which secures the individual brushbristles of the brush 18. Both the upper channel 20 and the lowerchannel 21 create a tight fit and thus clamp their relative members.

FIG. 3 (and in greater detail in FIG. 6) illustrates that a compressionspring 26 and a washer 25 accompany each guide shaft. The washer 25 islocated immediately above the ceiling surface 11 of the shroud 9, andthe compression spring 26 is located immediately above the washer 25 andconstrained on its upper direction by the chassis lower wall 5. Both thewasher 25 and the compression spring 26 encircle the main longcylindrical section 24 of each guide shaft 22. The position of thesecomponents allows for the compression spring to transfer a downwardforce to the shroud 9. This downward force improves the seal between thebrush 18 and the floor 2 (shown in FIG. 1). The washer 25 prevents thecompression spring 26 from entering and becoming lodged in the gap ofthe clearance hole between each satellite hole 15 of the shroud 9 andthe main long cylindrical section 24 of each guide shaft 22.

FIG. 5 illustrates that the guide shaft itself can be an assembly ofcomponents. Referring to both FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 it can be seen that theassembly is comprised of a flat head socket cap screw 43, a relativelylong and narrow spacer 44 which comprises the main long cylindricalsection 24, a relatively short and wide spacer 45 with a countersunkhole 46 which comprises the short and wide shoulder 23. Under such anarrangement, the flat head socket cap screw 43 is inserted into the nut47 on the upper side of the chassis lower wall 5, and when the screw andnut are tightened, the two spacers 44 & 45 are compressed and secured.

FIG. 7 illustrates the configuration of the shroud 9 for dust extractionand collection. In the centermost area of the ceiling surface 11 of theshroud 9, in the vicinity of the satellite holes 15, exist smallerperforation holes 27. In the outer area of the ceiling surface 11,exists a rising scroll shaped channel 28 that follows the general curveof the shroud 9. At the end of the channel 28, exists an outward curve29 that redirects the channel toward the shroud sidewall 13. At thelocation where the channel 28 meets the sidewall 13, exists an outlethole 30. It should be noted that the outlet hole 30, extends entirelythrough the sidewall 13 all the way to the bottom of the shroud 9. Thereis no vertical wall or portion of a vertical wall within the outlet hole30.

FIG. 7 illustrates that a outlet chute 31 is affixed to the shroud 9 atthe location of the outlet hole 30. Though FIG. 7 is an exploded viewthat shows the two components separated, the two leader lines 76indicate where the two components are affixed. FIG. 8 also clearly showsthe outlet chute affixed to the outside of the shroud 9. Referring backto FIG. 7, the outlet chute 31 contains a relatively rectangular openinghole 32 which mates with the outlet hole 30 of in the shroud sidewall13. The lower leading edge 77 of the rectangular opening 32 is designedto make contact with the floor 2 (shown in FIG. 1) such that anyexpelled air will easily enter the chute. The outlet chute 31 thencurves outward and rearward, as its shape gradually becomes morerounded, until the chute forms a round outlet hole 33.

FIG. 8 illustrates that a dust collection bag 34 is affixed to the roundoutlet hole 33 (shown in FIG. 7) of the outlet chute 31. This collectionbag 34 is composed of a filter material that has microscopic holes.Though the micron size of the filter material is not specified by thisinvention, such holes are large enough for air to pass through thefilter material, but small enough that dust, debris, and contaminantsare restricted and trapped in the bag.

FIG. 8 illustrates the airflow in the dust extraction and collectionsystem. Arrows that are solid black 69 illustrate airflow that would bevisible from the perspective of the viewer, including as if the sectionportions were actually sectioned away. Arrows that are faded 70illustrate airflow that would be concealed from the perspective of theviewer. The primary driving force of all airflow is the rotatingimplement which is rotating in the direction of arrow 37. This rotatingimplement applies frictional forces that act on the air and force theair to flow both rotationally along with the implement, and also outwardtoward the outer portion of the shroud 9 due to centrifugal forces.Arrows 35 illustrates airflow as it is pulled into the shroud 9 throughsmall perforation holes 27. The reason for this inflow of air will beexplained further. Arrows 36 illustrate the incoming airflow beingforced both rotationally and outward. Arrow 38 illustrates the airrising at the beginning of the rising channel 28. Arrow 39 illustratesair continuing to raise and curve within the rising channel 28. Thisrising air depicted by arrows 38 and 39 occurs because the airflow willtend to maintain surface contact along any gradual direction change,including the gradual rising of air. Arrow 40 illustrates the air makingan outward curve due to the outward curve 29 in the channel 28. Arrow 41illustrates the air following the curve of the chute 31. Arrows 42illustrates the clean air being expelled finally from the dustcollection bag 34.

Referring to FIG. 8, as air is forced to be expelled from the shroud 9,the result is a relative vacuum of pressure inside the shroud 9,especially at the central portion of the shroud 9. This vacuum is theprimary reason that air is pulled in through the perforation holes 27,represented by arrows 35. Thus the system produces a constant cycle ofairflow into the shroud 9 (depicted by arrows 35) and out of the dustcollection bag 34 (depicted by arrows 42). As this air is cycled throughthe system, any dust created from the rotating implement will beexpelled along with the air flow and trapped in the dust collection bag34.

FIG. 8 illustrates that integrated into the rotating implement may existfins 48. Such fins 48 are angled relative to the radial lines 49 of therotating implement. The function of such fins 48 is to augment thefrictional forces that act on the air and force it to flow rotationallyand outwardly, this augmenting the total airflow through the system andthus the effectiveness of dust extraction and collection.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 8 both illustrate that a rotating implement is poweredto rotate by a driveshaft 51 which in turn is powered to rotate by themotor 3 (shown in FIG. 1) either directly or through the transmitting ofrotational power by a belt, chain, gear, or other type of transmission.The driveshaft 51 mates with a hub 55 which is affixed to the implementat location 57.

FIGS. 9 and 10 both illustrate the details of the mating interactionbetween three primary components of a quick-release coupling: adriveshaft 51, a hub 55, and a ball lock pin 61 according to theinvention.

FIG. 9 illustrates that the driveshaft 51 is a cylindrical shaped shaft.The bottom portion of the drive shaft 51 takes the form of a six-planehex shape 54.

FIG. 10 illustrates that centered in the bottom surface 64 of thedriveshaft 51 exists a round hole 52 which is concentric with thedriveshaft 51. Inside the sidewall of said hole 52 is an internal groove53 in the sidewall of the driveshaft 51.

FIG. 9 illustrates that the hub 55 includes a six-plane hex hole 60 inits top surface. This hole 60 mates with the six-plane hex shape 54 ofthe driveshaft 51.

FIG. 10 illustrates that the six-plane hex hole 60 (shown more clearlyin FIG. 9) in the hub 55 does not fully pierce the hub 55, but a flatsection 56 remains in the bottom of the hub 55. In the center of thisflat section 56 is a hole 59 that is concentric with the hub body 56.Note: the hub may take various overall outer shapes to accommodatedifferent methods of affixment to the rotating implement shown atlocation 57 (in FIG. 8), as the outer shape is not critical to thefunction of the invention.

FIGS. 9 and 10 both illustrate a ball lock pin 61. The primary featuresof this ball lock pin 61 are the main cylindrical body 68, a shoulder65, a push button 62, and the retracting locking ball(s) 63. The balllock pin 61 functions such that normally the locking balls (63) arerigid relative to the main cylindrical body 68, but when the push button62 is pressed, an internal mechanism allows for the ball(s) 63 to fullyretract into the main cylindrical body 68. Note: common ball lock pins61 may have either one or two locking balls 63, and the invention willfunction with either type.

As should be apparent in FIG. 9, the driveshaft 51 and hub 55 are matedsuch that the six-plane hex shape 54 of the driveshaft 51 mates with thesix-plane hex hole 60 of the hub 55.

FIG. 10 illustrates the three primary components completely matted. Thedriveshaft 51 is fully inserted into the hub 55 such that the bottomsurface of the driveshaft 51 mates with the top surface of the flatsection 56 of the bottom of the hub 55 at location 64. The ball lock pin61 is inserted through both hole 59 of the hub 55 and hole 52 of thedriveshaft 51. Additionally, when fully inserted, the locking ball(s) 63of the ball lock pin 61 enter the internal groove 53 inside hole 52 ofthe driveshaft 51.

FIG. 10 illustrates that the location of the internal groove 53 is suchthat the distance between the bottom edge 78 of groove 53 and the bottomedge 58 of the hub 55 (when the driveshaft 51 and hub 55 are fullymated) is equal to the distance between the bottom edge 79 of thelocking ball(s) 63 and the shoulder 65 (shown in FIG. 9) of the balllock pin 61. This ensures that when the ball lock pin 61 is lockedinside hole 52 of driveshaft 51, there is no clearance for the flatsection 56 of the hub 55 which would allow the hub 55 to remain slightlyloose relative to the two other components.

As should be apparent by both FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, when the ball lock pin61 is released and removed, the hub 55 is free to slide off of thedriveshaft 51.

FIG. 9 illustrates that the leading edge 66 of the driveshaft 51 ischamfered. The leading edge 67 of the six-plane hex hole 60 of the hub55 is also chamfered. These two chamfers 66 & 67 help the two components51 & 55 to be easily inserted.

Hole 59 as shown in FIG. 10 may be threaded, such that the ball lock pin61 can still fit through hole 59 with clearance, but such that theshoulder 65 (shown in FIG. 9) on the ball lock pin 61 cannot be insertedinto hole 59. In the event that the hub 55 becomes seized on thedriveshaft 51, this threaded hole 59 allows for a bolt to be insertedand thus allowing the hub 55 to break free from the driveshaft 51.

FIG. 3 illustrate that the guide shafts 22 are the only means ofsecuring the shroud 9 to the chassis lower wall 5. Therefore, byremoving the guide shafts 22, the entire shroud 9 can be removed.Furthermore, due to the quick-release coupling detailed in FIG. 9 andFIG. 10, changing rotational implements can be accomplished quickly andwithout tools. Therefore, a critically useful function of the inventionis that a single machine 1 (shown in FIG. 1) can be easily converted tonot only run with different implements, but to additionally change theshroud 9 allowing the machine 1 to be converted to run with differentsized implements with a different sized shroud 9.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dust containment system for a machine used forfloor buffing, grinding, and polishing wherein said machine includes achassis, a motor mounted to said chassis, rotating implement such as apad or disk to buff, grind, or polish the floor which depends from saidchassis and makes contact with the floor and is powered by said motor torotate in contact with the floor; said dust containment system comprisesof: a shroud with an outer circular vertical wall which transitions to ahorizontal ceiling surface which both encircles and covers the rotatingimplement, said shroud includes a primary central hole in its ceilingsurface, said shroud includes 2 or more smaller satellite holes in itsceiling surface; two or more guide shafts are affixed to the bottom ofsaid chassis; each guide shaft is cylindrical in shape with the primarycylinder being of smaller diameter than the satellite holes in theshroud; at the bottom of each guide shaft is a shoulder with a largerdiameter than the satellite holes in said shroud; said shroud ispositioned with said guide shafts being inserted through the satelliteholes of said shroud, such that the shroud is vertically constrained bythe chassis toward its top and the shoulders of the guide pins towardits bottom; a washer encircles each guide shaft and is positioned on theupper side of said shroud; a compression spring encircles each guideshaft and is positioned on the upper side of said washer; eachcompression spring is constrained on its top by the lower surface ofsaid chassis.
 2. The guide shaft according to claim 1 is itself anassembly comprised of a flat head socket cap screw, a relatively longand narrow spacer with the outer diameter that is smaller than theshroud satellite hole, a relatively short and wide spacer with acountersunk hole which has a diameter that is larger than the shroudsatellite hole; said guide shaft is affixed to said chassis by threadingsaid cap screw into a threaded hole or nut in the bottom of said chassisand compressing the two spacers.
 3. The satellite holes in the shroudaccording to claim 1 are slotted holes such that the slot direction isparallel with the radial lines of said shroud.
 4. A brush is affixed tothe bottom of the sidewall of the shroud according to claim 1 by anintermediary brush housing comprised of an upper and lower channel. 5.The guide shafts according to claim 1 are the only means of attachmentof the shroud to the chassis such that removing said guide shafts allowsfor removal of the entire shroud.
 6. The shroud according to claim 1shall be available in multiple sizes with each size including a commonhole pattern of the central and satellite holes and thus different sizesof shrouds shall be interchangeable on the same chassis.
 7. A dustextraction and collection system for a machine used for floor buffing,grinding, and polishing wherein said machine includes a chassis, a motormounted to said chassis, rotating implement such as a pad or disk tobuff, grind, or polish the floor which depends from said chassis andmakes contact with the floor and is powered by said motor to rotate incontact with the floor; said dust extraction and collection systemcomprises of: a shroud with an outer circular vertical wall whichtransitions to a horizontal ceiling surface which both encircles andcovers the rotating implement, said shroud includes a primary centralhole in its ceiling surface, said shroud includes 2 or more smallersatellite holes in its ceiling surface; said shroud includes smallerperforation holes in the centermost portion of its ceiling surface; saidshroud includes a scroll shaped rising channel that eventually curvesoutward and leads to an outlet hole in the sidewall of said shroud; saidhole extends entirely through the sidewall to the bottom surface of saidshroud; an outlet chute is affixed to the outside of said shroud; theshape of said chute transitions from a curved rectangular opening whichfits over the outlet hole of said shroud to a round shaped outlet; adust collection bag is affixed to the round shaped outlet of said chute;two or more guide shafts are affixed to the bottom of said chassis; eachguide shaft is cylindrical in shape with the primary cylinder being ofsmaller diameter than the satellite holes in the shroud; at the bottomof each guide shaft is a shoulder with a larger diameter than thesatellite holes in said shroud; said shroud is positioned with saidguide shafts being inserted through the satellite holes of said shroud,such that the shroud is vertically constrained by the chassis toward itstop and the shoulders of the guide pins toward its bottom; a washerencircles each guide shaft and is positioned on the upper side of saidshroud; a compression spring encircles each guide shaft and ispositioned on the upper side of said washer; each compression spring isconstrained on its top by the lower surface of said chassis.
 8. Theguide shaft according to claim 7 is itself an assembly comprised of aflat head socket cap screw, a relatively long and narrow spacer with theouter diameter that is smaller than the shroud satellite hole, arelatively short and wide spacer with a countersunk hole which has adiameter that is larger than the shroud satellite hole; said guide shaftis affixed to said chassis by threading said cap screw into a threadedhole or nut in the bottom of said chassis and compressing the twospacers.
 9. The satellite holes in the shroud according to claim 7 areslotted holes such that the slot direction is parallel with the radiallines of said shroud.
 10. A brush is affixed to the bottom of thesidewall of the shroud according to claim 7 by an intermediary brushhousing comprised of an upper and lower channel.
 11. The guide shaftsaccording to claim 7 are the only means of attachment of the shroud tothe chassis such that removing said guide shafts allows for removal ofthe entire shroud.
 12. The shroud according to claim 7 shall beavailable in multiple sizes with each size including a common holepattern of the central and satellite holes and thus different sizes ofshrouds shall be interchangeable on the same chassis.
 13. The circularsurface that drives the rotating implement according to claim 7 hasintegrated fins that are located on the upper side of said surface andangled relative to radial lines of said surface.
 14. A quick-release,tool-less installation and removal mechanism of the rotating implementholder of a machine used for floor buffing, grinding, and polishingwherein said machine includes a chassis, a motor mounted to saidchassis, rotating implement such as a pad or disk to buff, grind, orpolish the floor which depends from said chassis and makes contact withthe floor and is powered by said motor to rotate in contact with thefloor; mechanism comprises of: a cylindrical driveshaft which rotated bythe motor either directly or through the transmitting of rotationalpower by a belt, chain, gear, or other type of transmission;perpendicular to bottom surface of said driveshaft is a hole that isconcentric with the driveshaft; inside said hole is an internal groovein the sidewall of the driveshaft; the bottom outer portion of saiddriveshaft is a six-plane hex shape; a female hub that mates with saiddriveshaft; the lower portion of said hub is a relatively flat bodywhich is bolted to the rotating implement holder; a hole is located inthe center of the lower flat body of the hub; the upper portion of saidhub is comprised of a rounded column; perpendicular to the top surfaceof said rounded column is a six-plane hex hole that is concentric withsaid rounded column; a common ball lock pin with a quick releasespring-loaded push button that allows the locking ball or balls toretract into the pin body; said pin has a shoulder that is a largerdiameter than the primary pin diameter.
 15. The hole in the lower bodyof the hub according to claim 14 is threaded, with a larger thread sizethan the bottom hole in said driveshaft.
 16. The lower leading edge ofthe driveshaft according to claim 14 is chamfered such that thesix-plane hex shape transitions to a bottom round shape.
 17. The upperleading edge of the six-plane hex hole in the hub according to claim 14is chamfered such that the six-plane hex hole transitions to an upperround hole.